Inzer is a small village on the river of the same name, in the Southern Urals of Bashkortostan, and the setting is far more dramatic than the population suggests. The Inzer rises in forested ridges and runs west through narrow valleys cut into limestone and sandstone, with rocky cliffs and pine slopes on either side, and in spring, when the snowmelt swells the river, rafters and kayakers come from across Russia to ride it. Mountain peaks of the Zigalga and other ranges lie to the south, and the whole region, though not high by Alpine standards, feels wild, with deep forests and few roads.
This is Bashkir country, and the culture of the Bashkirs, a Turkic people with a long tradition of horse breeding, beekeeping and epic song, is part of the scenery. The Burzyan district, a bit to the south, is famed for wild-hive honey, collected from tree hollows in the old way, and the Bashkirs have kept up the custom of kumis, fermented mare's milk, in summer. You may be offered honey or tea at a village shop or guest house, and it is worth saying yes.
On a bike, the roads in the Urals combine easy, rolling stretches with sudden rough patches. The route through Inzer, running between Beloretsk and the forests of the north, winds along the river with some pleasing bends, though the surface varies and often has frost damage. Expect gravel, potholes, and the odd tight corner under trees. Timber lorries use some of the roads, so keep wide of dust and mud. Weather is changeable in the mountains: sun and rain can alternate within an hour, and fog may settle in the valleys. Late spring brings flooded rivers and the risk of washouts. The best months are June to September, and autumn is magnificent, with birch and larch turning gold.
Fuel is the thing to plan. Beloretsk, farther south, is the more practical choice, so fill up before you reach the hills. Shops sell basic supplies, and there are guest houses for tourists in the rafting season.
Stop on a bridge and watch the water run. The Urals are old mountains, and the river has had plenty of time.